Facts every septic system owner should know:

Before Installing Your System Rope off the area of your system and protect it from vehicles.
Caution your builder to avoid system area during home construction.
Do not allow stripping of top soil or grading in the area of the system.
Do not run saltwater backwash from water softener to septic tank.
Make sure your well is at least 100 feet away from your absorption area.
Do not allow system installation in wet or frozen soil conditions. Soil must be loose, dry, unsmeared, and uncompacted.
Keep downspout and footer drains out of your septic system.
Seed your system area as soon as weather permits.
Divert all surface water from system area.

Conserve Water

Water conservation prolongs your system life, saves you money, and need not be a personal inconvenience.
Install low flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and install toilet bottle kits or tank displacement devices (if new construction, purchase low flow commodes). These devices can save a family of four over 100 gallons per day. Cost for these devices is only about $20-$70 and will save $100-$300 each year.
See your local plumbing supplier and most major department stores.
Take showers, they use less water than baths.
Promptly repair leaky faucets.
Use the clothes washer and dishwasher only when you have full loads.
Contact your local DEP office for more information on conservation.

Pump Your Septic Tank

Septic tanks must be pumped regularly (at least every 2-3 years).
Tank pumping helps prevent more expensive system problems. Waiting for evidence of system problems (spongy lawn or sluggish toilet) may be too late for pumping to help.
Pump your tank through the large central manhole, not the small baffle opening.
Be sure tank pumper agitates tank contents before pumping. Solids and floating scum must be mixed before removal.
Carefully mark the location of your septic tank.
Sewage grinders and garbage disposals increase solids build-up in your tank. More frequent pumping should occur.
NEVER ENTER A SEPTIC TANK.
Information on septic system maintenance can be obtained from the local DEP office.

Helpful Hints

Place a copy of your sewage permit and yellow application in a safe place. This information will be important for future use.
No septic tank additives have been proven beneficial for septic tank operation. Some may even be harmful. Regular tank pumping is the best advice to prolong your system's life.
Before repairing or replacing your system (even a new septic tank), a new sewage permit from the municipal sewage enforcement officer will be needed.

For more help and information contact Tighe's Earth Moving at:

tighesem@aol.com or call 814-434-0954